Mendocino Coast Cooperative Weed Management Area

Information Management Workgroup Brief Presentation

• Accomplishments
  1. Maps provided for weed distribution mapping at public meetings and to volunteers (Albion, and Mendocino to Fort Bragg).
  2. Preparation of a coarse-scale map of weed distribution by presence/absence in sections is in progress. Most of the information from the Experts Mapping Workshop has been incorporated.
  3. Creation of weed occurence records in the Weed Information Mapping System is in progress.
  4. Reconfigured the MCWMA ftp site.
  5. Information Management Workgroup meeting held January 11, 2006 [Minutes];
     • Information Management Element of the Draft Strategic Plan prepared (contributed to Draft merged from all workgroups);
     • A screening procedure for species based on distribution characteristics was developed, for the purpose of categorizing species according to management goals. The procedure has been included in the Draft Strategic Plan.
     • The need for 3 different protocols was determined. The simplest protocol would be for roadside use by volunteers. A site-oriented protocol for volunteers would be used to collect more localized information. Finally, a protocol for a professional-level survey is needed. Responsibility for development and testing of these protocols was assigned.
     • Next Information Management Workgroup meeting Thursday, February 23, 2006 10AM-12noon at the Jackson State Forest Office in Fort Bragg.
• Plans
  1. Use volunteers or interns to assist in digitizing weed occurrence geographical information.
  2. Incorporate GPS use into volunteer surveys as a motivator.
• Needs (if you can assist with any of these items, please contact Tara Athan at coord@mcwma.org)
  1. In the Weed Information Management System, create a definition of your Management Area, export to a spreadsheet and submit by e-mail. This is needed for documenting weed occurrences. Contact Tara if you need assistance.
  2. Teams of 2 needed to test the roadside survey protocol and implement the roadside survey.
  3. Additional weed distribution information requested.